From Corporate Burnout to Thriving Entrepreneur: My Personal Journey and Lessons Learned

It's 2019, and I'm sitting in the office of a Fortune 500 company I worked for in Downtown Toronto. I've got the fancy title, the impressive salary, and all the trappings of corporate success. But inside? I'm drowning. Burnout has its icy fingers wrapped around my heart, and I can barely remember the last time I felt truly alive.

Fast forward to today, and I'm writing this from my home office, overlooking the lush green backyard where my kids are playing. I'm a successful coach, helping executives just like my former self find the passion and purpose of their career once again and build lives they love. The journey from there to here? It's been one hell of a ride, full of ups and downs, lessons learned, and personal growth. So, buckle up because I'm about to take you on that journey with me.

The Corporate Hamster Wheel

Let's rewind a bit. I landed what I thought was my dream job at a multinational corporation. The company seemed great, the work was challenging, and I was on top of the world for the first few years. I worked with great clients in a great team, travelled worldwide, enjoyed life, and met some great people along the way.

But something wasn't right. The longer I was there, the emptier I felt. My days were a blur of meetings, emails, and putting out fires. I was putting in the hours, and the commute was killing me. My health was suffering, my relationships were strained, and that spark of passion I once had? It was barely a flicker.

One particularly grueling day near Christmas, I found myself shouting aloud, “Someone get me outta here!” as I could no longer hide my frustration. That was my rock bottom moment. I knew something had to change.

The Wake-Up Call

It wasn't just one big event that pushed me over the edge. It was a series of small moments that added up:

• Missing my son’s soccer game because of a "crucial" client meeting

• Waking up in cold sweats, panicking about deadlines

• Realizing I couldn't remember the last time I'd had a real conversation with my spouse that wasn't about schedules or chores

The final straw? A health scare that landed me in the ER. Sitting there, I could only think, "Is this really how I want to live my life?"

The Spark of Change

During my recovery, I stumbled upon a course about life coaching. Something clicked. I realized that all those years of corporate experience, of leading teams and solving problems, could be channeled into something meaningful. I could help others avoid the burnout trap I'd fallen into.

I started devouring everything I could about coaching, personal development, and entrepreneurship. I took online courses, attended workshops, and hired a coach. It was like a fog lifting – for the first time in years, I felt excited about my future.

Taking the Leap

Now, I'd love to say that I took it slow, set aside an emergency fund and planned my escape correctly, but that would make too much sense. In hindsight, I should have, but at the time, I wasn’t wired that way. I had a family to support and bills to pay. So, I should have started small.

After various startups with limited success, I threw everything I had, emotionally, physically and financially, into coaching. I ended up in a great class while earning my certification and gaining valuable practice for free to gain experience. I created a simple website and started working with a coach to do this correctly and build a strong foundation for success.

As my newfound passion career grew, so did my confidence. After about a year of treading water, juggling life, learning and making ends meet, I was off to the races.

The Early Days of Entrepreneurship

Let me tell you, those first few months of full-time entrepreneurship were a rollercoaster. I'd be on top of the world one day after a great client session. The next, I'd be panicking about where my next client would come from.

Some key challenges I faced:

1. Imposter Syndrome: Who was I to coach successful executives? This nagging doubt was my constant companion in the early days.

2. Financial Uncertainty: Gone were the days of a steady paycheck. Learning to manage irregular income was a steep learning curve.

3. Wearing All the Hats: In the corporate world, there were large teams to handle what wasn’t within my job remit. Now, it was all on me.

4. Work-Life Balance: Ironically, in my quest for better work-life balance, I initially worked more hours than ever as I built my business.

Lessons Learned

Through the ups and downs, I learned some invaluable lessons that not only helped me build a successful coaching business but also transformed me as a person:

1. Authenticity is Your Superpower

In the corporate world, I often felt like I was wearing a mask, playing a role. As an entrepreneur, I discovered that my true power lay in being authentically myself. My clients didn't want a perfect, polished facade. They wanted real, raw, and relatable.

I remember the first time I shared my burnout story in a LinkedIn post. I was terrified to hit publish, worried about appearing weak. The response was overwhelming. So many people reached out, saying they felt seen and understood. That's when I realized – that our struggles, when shared, become our strengths.

2. Your Network is Your Net Worth

Building a strong network became crucial to my success. But I'm not talking about collecting business cards at stuffy networking events. I'm talking about forming genuine connections with fellow entrepreneurs, potential clients, and mentors.

I joined business groups, attended industry events, and even joined an excellent mastermind group. These connections provided support, opportunities, and invaluable advice. Plus, many became friends who understood the unique challenges of the entrepreneurial journey.

3. Mindset is Everything

In the corporate world, I had a fixed mindset. I believed my abilities were set in stone and that failure was something to be avoided at all costs. Entrepreneurship taught me the power of a growth mindset.

Every setback became a learning opportunity. Every "no" from a potential client was one step closer to a "yes." This shift in perspective not only helped my business grow but also made the journey much more enjoyable.

4. Self-care isn't Selfish

One of the reasons I burned out in my corporate job was that I always put work first at the expense of my health and relationships. As an entrepreneur, I learned that taking care of myself wasn't selfish – it was essential.

I started prioritizing sleep, exercise, and quality time with my family. I even took up meditation (something my stressed-out corporate self would have scoffed at). The result? I was more productive, creative, and resilient in my business.

5. Done is Better Than Perfect

In the corporate world, I was a perfectionist. Every report and every presentation had to be flawless. As an entrepreneur, I learned that perfectionism was the enemy of progress.

I remember agonizing over my website for weeks, tweaking every little detail. Finally, a mentor told me, "A good website that's live is better than a perfect website that doesn't exist." That advice changed everything. I started focusing on taking action, even if things weren't perfect.

6. Embrace the Power of Systems

I quickly realized I couldn't do everything as my business grew. I needed systems and processes to scale. I invested time creating standard operating procedures, automating what I could, and eventually hiring a virtual assistant.

This not only made my business more efficient but also gave me back precious time to focus on what I do best – coaching my clients.

7. Never Stop Learning

In the corporate world, learning often felt like a chore – mandatory training sessions and certifications. As an entrepreneur, I rediscovered the joy of learning.

I became a voracious reader, consuming books on business, psychology, and personal development. I invested in courses and attended workshops. This continuous learning not only improved my coaching skills but also kept me inspired and motivated.

The Transformation

As I applied these lessons, something magical happened. My business began to thrive. But more importantly, I began to thrive. The burnout that had plagued me in my corporate life became a distant memory.

I was doing work that truly mattered, helping others avoid the pitfalls I had experienced. I had the flexibility to be there for my family. And that spark of passion? It was now a roaring flame.

Don't get me wrong – entrepreneurship isn't all sunshine and rainbows. There are still challenges, stressful days, and moments of doubt. But the difference is I now have the tools and mindset to handle them.

Paying It Forward

My journey from corporate burnout to thriving entrepreneur taught me so much, and now it's my mission to share those lessons with others. Whether you're an executive feeling the weight of burnout or an aspiring entrepreneur dreaming of making the leap, here's what I want you to know:

1. It's never too late to change course. Your past doesn't define your future.

2. Your struggles and experiences are valuable. They shape you and can become your unique offering to the world.

3. Success isn't about fancy titles or big paychecks. It's about creating a life that aligns with your values and brings you joy.

4. The entrepreneurship journey is as much about personal growth as it is about business growth.

5. You don't have to have it all figured out to start. Take one small step, then another, and another.

The Road Ahead

Reflecting on my journey, I'm filled with gratitude as I sit here. I am grateful for the challenges that pushed me to grow, the people who supported me along the way, and the opportunity to do work I love.

But I'm also excited for the road ahead. The world of work is changing rapidly, and more people than ever are looking for ways to escape the traditional 9-to-5 and create lives of purpose and fulfillment. As a coach, I'm committed to continually evolving, learning, and finding new ways to support my clients' journeys.

To those of you reading this who might be where I was – feeling stuck, burned out, or dreaming of something more – I want you to know that change is possible. It might not be easy, but it's worth it. You have unique gifts to offer the world, and there's no better time than now to start sharing them.

Remember, the corporate world didn't build Rome in a day, and you won't build your dream life overnight, either. But with persistence, courage, and a willingness to learn and grow, you can create a life and career that lights you up from the inside out.

So, are you ready to write your own transformation story? The first chapter begins now. Take that first step, no matter how small.

Your future self will thank you for it.